South Sudan Oil Crisis Ends: Port Sudan Exports Resume After Devastating Drone Attacks
South Sudan’s crucial oil exports through Port Sudan have officially resumed after weeks of uncertainty following targeted drone attacks that threatened to cripple the landlocked nation’s economy. The resumption comes as a massive relief to South Sudan, which depends on oil for over 90% of its revenue.
Senior Sudanese diplomat Mubarak Mahjoub Musa confirmed Tuesday that joint technical teams from both countries successfully repaired damaged facilities at the Red Sea port, allowing crude oil production to restart after nearly a month of disruption.
“Operations are running smoothly,” Musa declared, emphasizing that the damage from last month’s attacks by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been fully addressed through collaborative efforts between Juba and Port Sudan.
The attacks had forced Sudan’s army-aligned government to order energy firms to prepare for a complete halt of South Sudanese crude shipments – a move that would have devastated South Sudan’s economy. The nation currently exports an estimated 110,000 barrels per day through Port Sudan, with Sudan collecting transit fees.
However, the crisis has exposed ongoing labor disputes, with Nilepet Workers Union member Nancy Malir revealing that despite production resuming, oil workers face 70% salary cuts and unpaid arrears, leading to continued strikes.
The oil exports had only resumed in January after a year-long suspension due to pipeline damage from earlier clashes in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced 13 million people since April 2023.
Source: radiotamazuj.org
